Director, Stewardship

Mendocino Redwood Company is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Stewardship Director to oversee our Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management and Chain of Custody certificates. This position is onsite and can be based out of Ukiah, Soctia, or Fort Bragg, CA. 

The base salary for this position is $160,000.00 to $180,000.00.  Your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic locations, skills, education and/or experience.  Please keep in mind that that the range published is the full base salary. We also offer a generous benefits package. Relocation assistance is available for this position as well.

In aggregate, the Mendocino Companies (Mendocino Forest Products Company, Mendocino Redwood Company, Humboldt Redwood Company, Humboldt Sawmill Company, and Allweather Wood) own nearly 450,000 acres of Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C031337) certificated redwood and Douglas-fir timberland, constitute the largest waterborne wood treater in the Western USA, and is the largest producer of redwood lumber in the world. Collectively providing 950 employees and their families with excellent wages and benefits in communities throughout the Western USA. Additionally, the Mendocino Companies own and operate a 25-megaWatt biomass cogeneration power plant and wood pellet plant.

Under the direction of the VP, Executive, this position is responsible for our forest inventory & carbon department, forest management and spatial data department and our grants program. The Stewardship Director will play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainable management of our forest resources and adherence to certification standards.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Oversee the maintenance and renewal process of the FSC forest management certificate and Chain of Custody certificate. Engage with FSC on policy and standard development. Ensure compliance with FSC principles and criteria.
• Ensure integrity and maintenance of a comprehensive forest inventory program to accurately assess and monitor forest resources. Utilize advanced inventory techniques and technologies to gather data on forest composition, structure, and health.
• Provide leadership and direction on the development and maintenance of carbon offset projects. Coordinate carbon accounting efforts, including monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon stocks.
• Develop and manage forest management and spatial data systems to support informed decision-making and planning processes. Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of data related to forest resources, land use, and environmental variables.
• Stay abreast of relevant regulations and legislation pertaining to forest management and certification. Ensure that operations are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including forest management teams, certification bodies, government agencies, and community organizations. Facilitate communication and foster partnerships to promote sustainable forest management practices.
• Provide leadership and guidance to a team of direct and indirect reports, including an Inventory Manager, a Carbon Program Manager, and a Grant Program Manager. Delegate tasks, set goals, and ensure the professional development of team members.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in forest stewardship practices, certification processes, and data management systems. Implement best practices and innovative approaches to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of forest management operations

• Bachelor's or master's degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Certification as a Forest Stewardship Council auditor or equivalent experience preferred.
• Proven experience in forest management, certification, and stewardship programs.
• Strong understanding of forest ecology, inventory methods, and carbon accounting principles.
• Proficiency in GIS software and other tools for spatial data analysis and management.
• Excellent project management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability and conservation principles.

Physical Requirements: 

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to walk and sit for long periods of time. The employee is regularly required to communicate
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Position travels locally, usually by car, up to 75% of the time
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• This position may require: eye protection, hearing protection and hard hat

COMPETENCIES 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Interpersonal Skills – will involve a wide spectrum of contacts with wide variety of communications (in person, with telephone and with email.);   Will have frequent contact with management or executive positions, wherein this person presents information and recommendations which may be controversial, requiring discretion and tact in presentation; periodic contact with the President and/or Board of Directors of the Company; outside contacts a person in this position has involves frequent dialog with a variety of public stakeholders resolving controversial issues relating to forest management, economics and environmental issues.

Oral and Written Communication – oral and written communications must be exemplary as employee will essentially be crafting and editing the key communication documents for the company; must be able to respond in a positive, clear and persuasive manner even in the most hostile situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates group presentation skills; very comfortable with assimilating and "translating" technical information related to forestry and forest ecosystems.

Teamwork – attract and select appropriate teams of professionals for different projects; show leadership in planning the objectives and tasks for the team; skill in facilitating team discussions; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; able to communicate team progress to top management.

Change Management – thorough outreach work with a variety of social, scientific and business groups, able to bring new ideas and initiatives into the company related to stewardship; able to build internal support appropriately; willing to receive feedback and give recognition and respect to others; ability to develop projects and obtain funding; outreach to a variety of social, scientific, and business groups.

Leadership and Professionalism – works independently, guided by company policies; exercises a high degree of initiative involving major programs and commitment; work is monitored by exception and management information reports; almost autonomous in their work; errors have considerable financial impact and may seriously impair or prevent the achievement of company goals and commitments;

works with unclear guidelines and often with few precedents or examples; work is analytical and requires judgment where policies and methods are not well established, problem solving requires innovation, ingenuity, planning, and coordination of effort.

 Equal Opportunity Employer, Valuing Diversity of our Workforce and Offering a Drug Free Workplace